Without God You Are Nothing #preaching

The NJ Podcast

Without God, You Are Nothing

Good morning, Church! I hope you all are doing well today. Let me start with a funny story. There was once a very proud woodpecker who claimed he could peck a hole in any tree. One day while pecking at a massive tree, it suddenly got hit by a lightning bolt and split into two. Surprised, the woodpecker flew away, exclaiming, "Goodness, I didn't realize I was that strong!"

And isn't that a little like us sometimes? We think we are the source of our own strength, our own achievements, and our own importance. But we often forget the hand of God that works behind the scenes, that enables us to do what we do. This brings us to our scripture for today's sermon. John 15:5 (NIV) says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Consider the Israelites. They were slaves in Egypt, powerless and oppressed. But God delivered them, not by their power, but by His. When they faced the Red Sea with the Egyptian army closing in, they had no hope. But God parted the sea. Without God, they were nothing. But with God, they were a nation, a people chosen and loved.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon learned this truth in a hard way. He boasted about his power and achievements, and forgot to acknowledge God's hand in his success. But God humbled him. He lost his kingdom and lived like an animal until he acknowledged that "the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes" (Daniel 4:32).

We are like branches of a tree. Separated from the tree, a branch is nothing. It can't bear fruit. It withers and dies. But connected to the tree, it thrives. It's the same with us and God. Our talents, our strength, our wisdom, everything comes from Him. Without Him, we can do nothing.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, said, "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). The apostle didn't say, "I can do all this because I'm talented, because I'm smart, or because I'm strong." No, he said, "I can do all this through Christ."

So let's acknowledge our dependence on God. Let's remain connected to the Vine, and bear much fruit for His glory. Let's say, along with the Psalmist, "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain" (Psalm 127:1).

In the grand scheme of eternity, without God, we are nothing. But with God, we are everything He designed us to be – fruitful, blessed, and purposed. As we head into this week, let’s remember to remain in Him, to draw our strength from Him, and to do everything for His glory. Amen.